Do guys get intimidated in talking to girls who are way more smart or articulate than them even though they have a crush on them - and does it make it even more difficult if she's more successful and confident than him? So usually how do guys behave in such scenarios even though they have a crush on them- look down when they see her approaching, fidget or avoid the girl?
Would they ever approach her at all? And does her success make them like respect her more or make them simply more scared of her?
I would say it's only a problem when the lady in question has an attitude about her improved quality. If she seems as if she is going to chastise him for not being her equal or better, most guys will just slink away and avoid her. Even if he has a crush on her, no guy likes to be talked down to, and nobody likes someone who is full of them self.
If she was an exceptional person in one or more areas, I don't think that would be so intimidating to the guy. It would be a quality she possesses that makes her that more attractive. If the guy is shying away, maybe he knows that he is lacking in the areas of her strength and thinks that is the only way he is going to be measured. A good way to get around that is to find out what his strengths are and work that into conversation as well as her own strengths.
Way more smart? Ahem. Lol If the guy has a low self esteem then yes he will get intimidated and make himself sound like a third-grader by replying to everything you say with a story that is bigger, better, and more extreme. He'll also throw useless information at you to prove he has a brain too. A confident guy will admire you being "way more smart" than him and find your intelligence to be attractive and challenging(in a good way)